Egypt National Team Profile, Mohamed Salah Still a mainstay

JAKARTA - The Egyptian national team is back on the world's biggest football stage with great hopes to make a new history at the 2026 World Cup.

Led by captain and star player Mohamed Salah, The Pharaohs are aiming to reach the knockout stages for the first time in their history of participation in the tournament.

Egypt ensured their qualification to the 2026 World Cup after finishing as champions of Group A in the African zone (CAF) qualifying round.

The Pharaohs performed impressively throughout the qualifiers by winning eight out of 10 matches, while the other two matches ended in a draw.

Egypt's dominance is also reflected by the goal difference which reaches +18, making them one of the most consistent teams in the African qualifiers.

The success also marked Egypt's return to the World Cup finals after failing to secure a ticket in the 2022 edition in Qatar.

Egypt is in Group G with Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand. With a squad composition that combines experienced players and young talent, the African representative is believed to have the opportunity to compete for a ticket to the round of 16.

Egypt made their World Cup debut in the 1934 edition in Italy and became the first African country to appear in the World Cup final round. However, their journey only lasted one match after losing to Hungary.

After that, Egypt's appearance at the World Cup was rare. The seven-time African Cup of Nations champion had to wait 56 years to return to the 1990 edition. At that time they were eliminated in the group stage despite holding the Netherlands.

The next appearance came at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but it ended again in the group stage.

Until the 2026 World Cup, Egypt has appeared in four final rounds, namely 1934, 1990, 2018, and 2026. Their best performance so far is still limited to reaching the group stage.

Mohamed Salah remains a central figure in Egypt's game. The striker who has just left Liverpool comes to the 2026 World Cup with the opportunity to set a new record as the top scorer of all time for the Egyptian national team.

Salah is currently only two goals behind the record of 69 goals held by Egypt national team coach Hossam Hassan. In the 2018 World Cup, Salah managed to score two goals and is now determined to add to his collection in North America.

In the front line, Salah will be supported by Omar Marmoush who had an impressive season with Manchester City and Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet who is one of the most experienced players in the squad.

Meanwhile, in the middle sector, Emam Ashour is expected to be a source of creativity for the team, while Mohamed El-Shenawy remains the mainstay under the goalposts.

The Egyptian national team is currently managed by Hossam Hassan, a figure who holds the record for the most goals of all time for the national team. Despite his great reputation as a player, Hossam Hassan's journey as a coach has not been too brilliant.

He has never won a title during his nine club and two national team stints. However, his appointment in 2024 has received widespread support as he is seen as a figure who understands the identity of Egyptian football.

Under his direction, Egypt hopes to be able to end the long wait and step into the World Cup knockout phase for the first time.

Egypt Squad List Goalkeeper: Mohamed El Shenawy (Al Ahly), Mostafa Shobeir (Al Ahly), Mohamed Alaa (El Gouna) Defender: Mohamed Hani (Al Ahly), Tarek Alaa (Zed), Hamdy Fathy (Al Wakrah), Rami Rabia (Al Ain), Yasser Ibrahim (Al Ahly), Hossam Abdelmaguid (Zamalek), Mohamed Abdelmonem (Nice), Ahmed Fotouh (Zamalek), Karim Hafez (Pyramids)

Midfielders: Marwan Attia (Al Ahly), Mohanad Lasheen (Pyramids), Nabil Emad (Al Najma), Mahmoud Saber (Zed), Ahmed Zizo (Al Ahly), Emam Ashour (Al Ahly), Mostafa Ziko (Pyramids), Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet (Al Ahly), Ibrahim Adel (Nordsjaelland), Haissem Hassan (Real Oviedo)

Attackers: Mohamed Salah (without club), Omar Marmoush (Manchester City), Aqtay Abdallah (Enppi), Hamza Abdelkarim (Barcelona).

Egypt will begin their campaign in Group G by facing Belgium before meeting New Zealand and Iran.

Egypt's schedule in the 2026 World Cup Group Stage

Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 02.00 WIB: Belgium vs Egypt (Seattle) Monday, June 22, 2026 at 02.00 WIB: Egypt vs New Zealand (Vancouver) Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 02.00 WIB: Iran vs Egypt (Seattle)